Raila owes me nothing – Mudavadi a*serts ah**d of 2022 polls
Amani National Congress (ANC) Party Leader Musalia Mudavadi has maintained that no one owes him any political debt.
Speaking during a TV interview on Tuesday, September 14, Mudavadi said in politics there are no political debts resulting from one’s previous support of another.
Mudavadi argued that politicians form alliances with an aim and agenda through shared ideologies and that should not be seen as a debt.
Responding to questions regarding his 2007 and 2017 support for ODM leader Raila Odinga and whether he feels the former Prime Minister should reciprocate by supporting his 2022 bid for the presidency, Mudavadi said he is seeking the support of all Kenyans and not from a specific person.
“I don’t believe in the idea of ‘political debts’. Raila owes me no debt, politically. I am seeking the votes of all Kenyans on the basis of my economic recovery policies,” he said.
The ANC leader who is campaigning on the platform of reviving and growing the economy said leaders should seek the mandate of Kenyans on the basis of what they will do for them and not selling fear to the electorates.
He said every Kenyan has a right to live and do business in any part of the country without intimidation and feeling like an outsider.
“The events of 2007/2008 post-poll violence should not be allowed to play out again. Our clarion call should be peace and more peace in our country as we head to the elections,” he said.
Mudavadi also called on the national government to allocate more funds to the Ministry of Health for the purchase of Covid-19 vaccines.
“The economy was doing bad even before the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the pandemic has affected the economy more. We need to have all our people vaccinated so that we open up our businesses,” he said.
Mudavadi strongly defended himself against allegations made by some politicians and media houses that the State House meetings he and other leaders have been having with President Uhuru Kenyatta are meant to strategize on how to inherit the presidency from Uhuru come next year and that the President has been calling on them to back one of them against Ruto.
The ANC leader called on the government to adequately fund the electoral agency for it to be able to carry out its mandate effectively.
Musalia said the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is a key player in the electoral process that will play a big role in the country having peace before, during and after the elections and it is mandated to ensure fair and transparent polls.
“We need to ensure the electoral commission is well funded to carry out free, fair and credible elections. It must be well resourced with human capital and technology,” he said.
Mudavadi called on players in the electoral process such as political parties and politicians to stop discrediting the IEBC, for doing so amounts to planting seeds of suspect outcomes.
“The State must guarantee the independence of IEBC and should be insulated from external interference. All electoral laws should be reviewed with a view to ensure and guarantee accountability,” he said.
The Amani leader promised to work towards lowering the cost of farm inputs so as help reduce the cost of production and ensure farmers reap from their hard work.
“Why should we import cheap eggs from neighbouring countries? Our farmers are spending too much on production which has reduced the profit margin. We need to zero-rate the animal feeds,” he said.
